The Lakers are making critics eat their words under first-year head coach JJ Redick. After many predicted they'd miss the playoffs, Los Angeles sits at 9-4 to start the 2024-25 season, with Anthony Davis and rookie sensation Dalton Knecht leading the charge.

The Lakers believe they got a steal with the 17th overall pick in the draft in Dalton Knecht, who has provided a big impact when getting to start.

They enter the league with greater readiness, able to make a bigger impact while making the affordable cap hit of a rookie contract. Los Angeles Lakers’ rookie Dalton Knecht embodies this dynamic to a tee,